Turn your Learner into a Teacher

One of the best ways to find out whether we truly understand something is to try to teach it to someone else. Most of us have had the experience of explaining a concept only to realize halfway through that there was a gap in our own understanding. On the other hand, preparing to teach a lesson often helps us organize our thoughts, connect ideas, and gain a much deeper understanding of the topic ourselves.

As adults, we benefit from this process all the time. Teachers, coaches, parents, and instructors are constantly learning as they prepare lessons, answer questions, and look for new ways to explain an idea. Every new student and every new question offers another opportunity to learn. The same can be true for children. Once they have begun to understand a topic, inviting them to become the teacher for a little while can be one of the most effective ways to deepen their learning.

Teaching and learning go hand in hand

Much of my curriculum I have lived through, so I don't have to research feeding and turnout schedules or what a farrier does. But I am not a farrier, so I review, look at new material, and learn more. I know the basics of many different breeds, but as I prepare for the breed packs, I am talking to the association and the breeders themselves. It is so refreshing to be learning new information from someone passionate about a breed I only had an inkling about! 

That's one of the great rewards of teaching. Preparing to teach a topic almost always deepens your own understanding of it. 

Try this! As your child begins to understand something new, have them teach you! I don't mean just explain it to you. Have them create a lesson that will cover everything. Let them create visuals, practice problems, activities, and assessments for you! Ask them appropriate questions and let them know it's okay if they don't have the answer yet. Teachers are not expected to know everything, but they need to know how to find answers. 

When students have to organize their knowledge well enough to teach someone else, they often discover they know far more than they realized—and they quickly identify the places where they still have questions.  I think you will find that your learner-turned-teacher has a whole new grasp of the topic and a confidence they did not have before. 

Have you ever noticed your child understanding something more deeply after explaining it to someone else?